Farmers are reminded that they must complete a Soil Protection Review by December 31 or risk losing out on support payments, including those under the SPS.
The RPA has again reported breaches of this Cross Compliance requirement – and the consequences can seriously affect your farming bottom line. In 2010 there were 80 failures under GAEC1. While those rules cover more than just the Soil Protection Review, it was the biggest single problem reported.
Of the 80 failures, 62 incurred a 5% reduction in SPS and relevant agri-environment payments, five were fined between 5% and 15% and, in two cases, the penalty was more than that. In short, failing to stay up-to-date could mean a serious sum.
The SPR should not be returned to the RPA or Defra, but should be kept on the farm in case of inspection.
To sort out your review out online, click here.
For queries on any aspect of the review, call the Defra Helpline on 08459 33 55 77 or email onlinehelp@defra.gsi.gov.uk.
- For more SPS news from the NFU, click here.
- Log in to MyNFU to read our newly-updated Business Guide on the Soil Protection Review (ref 840, in the environment section).
- Brian Palmer - 15/12/2011
After listening to comments at a meeting yesterday, I think the NFU should advise members to use the SPR 2010 booklet to complete their 2011 review rather than using the online facility.
- Christopher Sturdy - 30/11/2011
In the first item of today's bulletin (Nov. 30)we read that Peter K agrees "that businesses and industries must be freed from stifling red tape..."
Could the NFU therefore please ask the powers-that-be why an all grassland farm like mine has to keep filling in this utterly irrelevant and stupid document (for permanent grassland)? Then please fight their bureaucratic defences and get the requirement removed from us.
That would be great. One little bit of red tape gone.
Many thanks in advance.